London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
West Ham 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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The nutritional state of the pupils is very good, and is very similar to a year ago. The figures for 1935 and for the present year may be regarded as almost identical. They are as follows:—
| Year 1935 | Year 1936 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 110 | 31.8% | 105 | 30.4% |
| Normal | 234 | 67.7% | 236 | 68.4% |
| Slightly subnormal | 2 | .5% | 4 | 1.2% |
An interesting' and happy feature is that the school is free of
any cases of heart disease. There were three cases which were
seen from time to time—one, a case of congenital heart disease,
and two slight cases. The former boy died during the year; the
latter two cases are now practically normal. It should be mentioned
that the incidence of heart disease in the area served by
the Rosetta Road Clinic (six per thousand) is about four times
as great as for the country as a whole. The absence of heart
disease in a school of 345 bovs is, therefore, all the more gratifying.
Dr. Jessie Fitchet reports as follows regarding the girls:—
All the girls were examined. The entrants were examined
before the commencement of the School Term.
Number of entrants examined 42
Number of entrants found defective 5
Defective 12%
Record of nutrition of entrants:—
| Number | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 7 | 17% |
| Normal | 25 | 59% |
| Slightly Subnormal | 10 | 24% |
The percentage of girls with slightly subnormal nutrition was
high, and a list of those who, it was considered, would benefit
by milk at school was left with the Principal.
Number of pupils examined 193
Number found defective 56
Defective 29%
Record of nutrition:—
| Number | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 17 | 9 |
| Normal | 157 | 82 |
| Slightly subnormal | 19 | 9 |